Personal spending was up 0.9pc, according to the preliminary estimates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

However, personal spending fell by 1pc compared with the same period last year.

GDP is up 1.7pc year-on-year.

"For the first time in many quarters, we have a very strong contribution to GDP coming from domestic demand," said the CSO's Michael Connolly.

Government spending increased by 1.1pc while net exports declined by €233m in volume terms.

Industry, including building and construction, increased by 2.2pc. Public administration and defence decreased by 1pc and agriculture, forestry and fishing declined by 2.9pc between the second and third quarters of the 2013.

The current account surplus in the third quarter was €3.4bn, an increase of €1.2bn on the same period last year.